Chapters 41 - 42 Summary

Dr. MacNeill is called away to cases more severe than Lundy's and must spend the night away from Cutter Gap. Just as soon as the doctor leaves, word arrives that Ruby Mae is very ill and someone from the Mission House must go. Initially Miss Alice refuses Christy's help, but because Ruby Mae is her friend, Christy insists on accompanying the versatile Quaker woman, who frequently steps in when Dr. MacNeill is unavailable. Miss Alice is not sure if Ruby Mae has typhoid, but does know she has pneumonia. Christy and Will set to work peeling and slicing onions to heat for poultices. For hours they peel, slice, and heat the onions, prepare a poultice, turn Ruby Mae from front to back, their work a desperate attempt to save the girl's life. Toward dawn Ruby Mae finally coughs up huge amounts...